Microsoft Teams vs Zoom: Which is better in 2026?
A side-by-side comparison of pricing, features, and use cases to help you decide between Microsoft Teams and Zoom.
Chat, calls, and collaboration in Microsoft 365
Video conferencing and collaboration platform
Head-to-head comparison
| Feature | Microsoft Teams | Zoom |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $4/mo ✓ Cheaper | $13.32/mo |
| Free plan | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes |
| Pricing model | freemium | freemium |
| G2 rating | 4.3/5 | 4.5/5 ↑ |
| Capterra rating | 4.4/5 | 4.6/5 |
| Founded | 2017 | 2011 |
Microsoft Teams: pros & cons
- ✓Included in Microsoft 365
- ✓Deep Office integration
- ✓Strong enterprise features
- ✓Large meeting capacity
- ✗Complex and bloated UI
- ✗Notification management is poor
- ✗Less pleasant than Slack for daily use
- ✗Requires Microsoft ecosystem
Zoom: pros & cons
- ✓Industry standard for video calls
- ✓Reliable performance
- ✓Easy to join (no account needed)
- ✓Broad platform support
- ✗Security concerns historically
- ✗Free plan limited to 40 mins
- ✗Gets expensive with Zoom Phone add-ons
Choose Microsoft Teams if...
- →Your organisation already pays for Microsoft 365 and wants chat, meetings, and file sharing without adding another subscription
- →Your team works heavily in Word, Excel, and SharePoint and wants to co-edit documents directly inside the communication tool
- →You're in enterprise or education where IT manages device policies and Microsoft 365 licensing is already standardised
Choose Zoom if...
- →You run frequent external meetings where guests join without an account and need a link-and-click experience that just works
- →Your team hosts webinars and virtual events with hundreds of attendees and needs Zoom Webinars' registration, Q&A, and recording tools
- →You want to replace your phone system with Zoom Phone and consolidate calling, messaging, and video into a single app
Our verdict
Zoom scores higher on G2 (4.5/5 vs 4.3/5), suggesting stronger overall user satisfaction. Microsoft Teams is the more affordable option. The right pick depends on your team size and workflow.
Microsoft Teams vs Zoom: frequently asked questions
Is Microsoft Teams better than Zoom?
Zoom has a higher G2 score (4.5/5 vs 4.3/5). The best tool depends on your specific use case and budget.
Which is cheaper, Microsoft Teams or Zoom?
Microsoft Teams is cheaper, starting at $4/mo.
What is the main difference between Microsoft Teams and Zoom?
Microsoft Teams focuses on team chat, video meetings, file sharing (sharepoint). Zoom focuses on video meetings, webinars, team chat. Both serve similar use cases but differ in approach and pricing model.
Can I migrate from Microsoft Teams to Zoom?
Most teams migrate between Microsoft Teams and Zoom within a day or two. Export your data from Microsoft Teams (typically as CSV or via API), then use Zoom's import wizard to bring it across. Check each tool's help centre for a step-by-step migration guide before switching.